Gelatinous elastomer swabs

ABSTRACT

A novel reusable swab having a gelatinous elastomer swab head attached to one or both ends of a handle is disclosed. The gelatinous elastomer swab head exhibits a combination of properties including unexpectedly high elongation and tensile strength and excellent shape retention after extreme deformation under high-velocity impact and stress conditions. The gelatinous elastomer swabs of this invention are soft, flexible, and have elastic memory, characterized by a gel rigidity of from about 20 gram to about 800 gram Bloom. These and other properties are particularly essential for cleaning various surfaces, deeply recessed areas small crevices, curved surfaces, various hard-to-clean corners of a car interior, other nooks and crannies, and the like.

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS AND PATENTS

This application is copending with applications Ser. No. 935,540 filedAug. 24, 1992; Ser. No. 876,118 filed Apr. 29, 1992; Ser. No. 705,096filed May 23, 1991; and Ser. No. 957,290 filed Oct. 6, 1992. Thisapplication is also a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No.934,027 filed Aug. 24, 1992 having an issue date of Aug. 31, 1993 andU.S. Pat. No. 5,239,723 which is a continuation-in-part application ofSer. No. 705,711 filed May 23, 1991 which is a continuation-in-partapplication of Ser. No. 211,426 filed Jun. 24, 1988 and issued as U.S.Pat. No. 5,153,254 on Oct. 6, 1992 which is a continuation-in-partapplication of Ser. No. 921,752 filed Oct. 21, 1986 which is acontinuation-in-part of application of Ser. No. 572,172, filed 18 Jan.1984 and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 4,618,213 on 21 Oct. 1986, which is acontinuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 458,703, filed 17 Jan.1983, which is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 134,977,filed 28 Mar., 1980 and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 4,369,284 on 18 Jan.1983, which in turn is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No.916,731, filed 19 Jun. 1978, which is a continuation-in-part ofapplication Ser. No. 815,315, filed 13 Jul. 1977, which is acontinuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 778,343, filed 17 Mar.1977. The subject matter contained in the related applications andpatents are specifically incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to swabs, more particular to cleaningswabs with novel swab heads.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Cleaning swabs are well known in the art. These include swabs with headsmade from various materials, such as knitted polyester, nonwovenpolyester, foam, foam with a cotton bud core, nylon, and syntheticfibers (polyvinylidene Difluoride). They are also made in variousshapes, such as single head or dual head, tape head, rectangular head,circular head, cube head, elongated head, small head, medium, head,large head, etc. Some swab heads are premoistened with 91% isopropanolor with a reusable reservoir of 91% isopropanol. The best known swabhead material is cotton. For difficult to access areas requiringcleaning, the prior art swab heads do not work very well. A micro-vacuumor a pressurized spray of liquid or gas are often used to clean hard toreach areas. The micro-vacuum is costly and noisy. The liquid(evaporating) spray is often times messy, potentially explosive, andharmful to both man and environment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

I have invented swabs with novel heads for cleaning various surfaces andarresting lint. The swabs of the invention comprise one or more handleswith one or more gelatinous elastomer heads attached to said handles.The novel swab heads are made from a gelatinous elastomer compositionhaving a gel rigidity of about 5 gram to about 800 gram Bloom.

The various aspects and advantages of the invention will become apparentto those skilled in the art upon consideration of the accompanyingdisclosure and the drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E, 1F, and 1G. Representative sectional views ofswab embodiments of the invention.

FIGS. 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F, and 2G. Representative sectional views ofmore swab embodiments of the invention.

FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 3E, 3F, and 3G. Representative sectional views ofadditional swab embodiments of the invention.

FIGS. 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, 4E, 4F, and 4G. Representative sectional views ofother swab embodiments of the invention.

FIGS. 5A, 5B, 5C, 5D, 5E, 5F, 5G, and 5H. Representative sectional viewsof more swab embodiments of the invention illustrating.

FIGS. 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D, and 6E. Representative sectional views of otherswab embodiments of the invention.

FIGS. 7A and 7B. Representative sectional views of molding of swabembodiments of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Applicant's related parent application Ser. No. 934,027 and Ser. No.211,426 describe gelatinous elastomer swabs. The gelatinous elastomerswabs of the present invention are useful as novel reusable lintremovers for cleaning the computer mouse, computer and typewriterkeyboards, printers, copiers, camera lenses, LP records, varioushard-to-clean corners of a car interior, and other nooks and crannies onthe surface or inside buildings, houses, schools, ships, offices, andetc. Generally, the gelatinous elastomer swabs of the invention can beused to cleaned broad, flat surfaces, small areas, deeply recessedareas, small critical areas, small crevices, curved surfaces, and thelike.

The gelatinous elastomer swab heads 2 have various additional importantadvantages in that they do not crack, creep, tear, crack, or rupture inflextural, tension, compression, or other deforming conditions of normaluse; but rather the gelatinous elastomer swab heads 2 posses theintrinsic properties of elastic memory enabling the shaped gelatinouselastomer swab heads 2 to recover and retain its original shape aftermany extreme deformation cycles. In cleaning applications where lowrigidity, high elongation, good compression set and excellent tensilestrength are important, the gelatinous elastomer swab heads 2 have noequal. Moreover, the gelatinous elastomer swabs are washable andreusable.

The high viscosity triblock copolymers employed in forming thegelatinous elastomer swabs of the present invention have the moregeneral configuration A--B--A wherein each A is a crystalline polymerend block segment of polystyrene; and B is a elastomeric polymer centerblock segment of poly(ethylene-butylene). The poly(ethylene-butylene)and polystyrene portions are incompatible and form a two-phase systemconsisting of sub-micron domains of glassy polystyrene interconnected byflexible poly(ethylene-butylene) chains. These domains serve tocrosslink and reinforce the structure. This physical elastomeric networkstructure is reversible, and heating the polymer above the softeningpoint of polystyrene temporarily disrupt the structure, which can berestored by lowering the temperature. Most recent reviews of triblockcopolymers are found in the "ENCYCLOPEDIA OF POLYMER SCIENCE ANDENGINEERING", Volume 2 and 5, 1987-1988; "Thermoplastic Elastomers",MODERN PLASTIC ENCYCLOPEDIA, 1989; and Walker, B. M., Ed,. et al.,HANDBOOK 0F THERMOPLASTIC ELASTOMERS, Van Nostrand Reinhold Co., 2ndEdition, 1988. There publications are incorporated herein by reference).

The shape of the gelatinous elastomer swab heads 2 of the invention canbe any shape so long as it is suitable for use as a swab. For example,the gelatinous elastomer swab head can be in the form of a sphere, acube, a rectangular parallelepiped, a prism, a truncated triangularprism, a pyramid, a frustum of pyramid, a prismatoid, a polyhedra, aright circular cylinder, a cone, a frustum of cone, a lune, a sphericalsector, a ellipsoid, a oblate spheroid, a prolate spheroid, etc.

A gelatinous elastomer swab head 2 with an original molded shape can bedeformed into another shape (to contact a regular or irregular surface)by pressure and upon removal of the applied pressure, the gelatinouselastomer swab head in the deformed shape will recover back to itsoriginal shape. Likewise, a thick shaped gelatinous elastomer swab head2 can be deformed (stretched) into a thinner shaped head 2 just bycontacting the gelatinous elastomer swab head 2 onto any surfacecontaining lint; the lint is left-off by the gelatinous elastomer swabhead 2 regardless of its shape.

The gelatinous elastomer swab heads 2 of the invention are formed from acomposition by melt blending an admixture consisting essentially of: (A)100 parts by weight of a high viscosity triblock copolymer of thegeneral configuration poly(styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene) where saidtriblock copolymer is characterized as having a Brookfield Viscosity ofa 20 weight percent solids solution of said triblock copolymer intoluene at 25° C. of at least about 1,800 cps; (B) from about 300 toabout 1,600 parts by weight of an plasticizing oil. Typically, theBrookfield Viscosity values of (A) can range from about 1,800 cps toabout 16,000 cps. Less typically, the Brookfield viscosity values of (A)can range from about 1,800 cps to about 30,000 cps or higher. Theproportion of hydrocarbon plasticizing oil in (B) is more preferablyfrom about 350 to about 1,600 parts per 100 parts of the triblockcopolymer.

The high viscosity triblock copolymer of the invention can have a broadrange of styrene end block to ethylene and butylene center block ratioof approximately about 20:80 or less to about 40:60 or higher. Examplesof high viscosity triblock copolymers that can be utilized to achieveone or more of the novel properties of the present invention arestyrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene block copolymers (SEBS) available fromShell Chemical Company and Pecten Chemical Company (divisions of ShellOil Company) under trade designations Kraton G 1651, Kraton G 1654X,Kraton G 4600, Kraton G 4609 and the like. Other grades of (SEBS)polymers can also be utilized in the present invention provided suchSEBS polymers exhibits the required high viscosity. Such SEBS polymersinclude (high viscosity) Kraton G 1855X which has a Specific Gravity of0.92, Brookfield Viscosity of a 25 weight percent solids solution intoluene at 25° C. of about 40,000 cps or about 8,000 to about 20,000 cpsat a 20 weight percent solids solution in toluene at 25° C.

The styrene to ethylene and butylene weight ratios for these Shelldesignated polymers can have a low range of 20:80 or less. Although thetypical ratio values for Kraton G 1651, 4600, and 4609 are approximatelyabout 33:67 and for Kraton G 1855X approximately about 27:73, Kraton G1654X (a lower molecular weight version of Kraton G 1651 with somewhatlower physical properties such as lower solution and melt viscosity) isapproximately about 31:69, these ratios can vary broadly from thetypical product specification values. Shell Technical BulletinSC:1393-92 gives solution viscosity as measured with a Brookfield modelRVT viscometer at 25° C. for Kraton G 1654X at 10% weight in toluene ofapproximately 400 cps and at 15% weight in toluene of approximately5,600 cps.

The styrene to ethylene and butylene weight ratio of SEBS useful informing the gelatinous elastomer swab heads 2 can range from lower thanabout 20:80 to above about 40:60. More specifically, the values can be19:81, 20:80, 21:79. 22:78. 23:77, 24:76, 25:75, 26:74, 27:73, 28:72,29:71, 30:70, 31:69, 32:68, 33:67, 34:66, 35:65, 36:64, 37:63, 38:62,39:61, 40:60, 41:59, 42:58, 43:57, 44:65, 45:55, 46:54, 47:53, 48:52,49:51, 50:50, 52:49 and higher. Other ratio values of less than 19:81 orhigher than 52:49 are also possible. Broadly, the styrene end block toethylene and butylene center block ratio of the triblock copolymers ofthe invention is about 20:80 to about 40:60, less broadly about 31:69 toabout 40:60, preferably about 32:68 to about 38:62, more preferablyabout 32:68 to about 36:64, particularly more preferably about 32:68 toabout 34:66, especially more preferably about 33:67 to about 36:64, andmost preferably about 33:67. In accordance with the present invention,triblock copolymers such as Kraton G 1654X having ratios of 31:69 orhigher can be used and do exhibit some very similar physical propertiesin many respects to Kraton G 1651 while Kraton G 1654X with ratios below31:69 may also be use, but they are less preferred due to their decreasein the desirable properties of the final composition. Various triblockcopolymers of the compositions forming the swabs of the invention can beblended so as to produce a blend of varying ratios of triblockcopolymers of the gelatinous composition as desired.

Plasticizers particularly preferred for use in practicing the presentinvention are will known in the art, they include rubber processing oilssuch as paraffinic and naphthenic petroleum oils, highly refinedaromatic-free paraffinic and naphthenic food and technical grade whitepetroleum mineral oils, and synthetic liquid oligomers of polybutene,polypropene, polyterpene, etc. The synthetic series process oils arehigh viscosity oligomers which are permanently fluid liquid nonolefins,isoparaffins or paraffins of moderate to high molecular weight. Manysuch oils are known and commercially available. Examples ofrepresentative commercially oils include Amoco® polybutenes,hydrogenated polybutenes and polybutenes with epoxide functionality atone end of the polybutene polymer: Example of such polybutenes include:L-14 (320 M_(n)), L-50 (420 M_(n)), L-100 (460 M_(n)), H-15 (560 M_(n)),H-25 (610 M_(n)), H-35 (660 M_(n)), H-50 (750 M_(n)), H-100 (920 M_(n)),H-300 (1290 M_(n)), L-14E (27-37 cst @100° F. Viscosity), H-300E(635-690 cst @210° F. Viscosity), Actipol E6 (365 M_(n)), E16 (973M_(n)), E23 (1433 M_(n)) and the like. Example of various commerciallyoils include: ARCO Prime and Tufflo oils, other white mineral oilsinclude: Bayol, Bernol, American, Blandol, Drakeol, Ervol, Gloria,Kaydol, Litetek, Lyondell (Duraprime 55, 70, 90, 200, 350, 400, etc),Marcol, Parol, Peneteck, Primol, Protol, Sontex, and the like.

The high viscosity triblock copolymer component by itself lacks thedesired properties; whereas, when the triblock copolymer (havingBrookfield Viscosities of a 20 weight percent solids solution in tolueneat 25° C. of about 1,800 cps or higher and styrene to ethylene andbutylene ratio preferably of the range contemplated in the instantinvention) is combined with selected plasticizing oils with an averagemolecular weight preferably of about 200 to about 700, as determined byebulliscopic methods, wherein, for most purposes, the oil constitutesabout 300 to about 1,600 parts and more preferably about 350 to about1,600 parts by weight of the triblock copolymer, that an extremely softand highly elastic material is obtained. This transformation of thetriblock copolymer structure in heated oil resulting in a compositionhaving a gel rigidity preferably of about 20 gram or lower to about 800gram Bloom and substantially without oil bleedout along with hightensile strength and elongation and other desirable combination ofphysical properties is unexpected. As used herein, the term "gelrigidity" in gram Bloom is determined by the gram weight required todepress a gel a distance of 4 mm with a piston having a cross-sectionalarea of 1 square centimeter at 23° C.

In accordance with the practice of the present invention, theaforementioned molecular weight range plasticizing oils are mostpreferred. Generally, plasticizing oils with average molecular weightsless than about 200 and greater than about 700 may also be used.

The composition utilized for the gelatinous elastomer swab heads 2 canalso contain useful amounts of conventionally employed additives such asstabilizers, antioxidants, antiblocking agents, colorants, fragrances,flame retardants, other polymers in minor amounts and the like to anextend not affecting or substantially decreasing the desired propertiesof the present invention.

Additives useful in the composition of the present invention include:tetrakis[methylene 3,-(3'5'-di-tertbutyl-4"-hydroxyphenyl)propionate]methane, octadecyl 3-(3",5"-di-tert-butyl-4"-hydroxyphenyl)propionate, distearyl-pentaerythritol-diproprionate, thiodiethylenebis-(3,5-ter-butyl-4-hydroxy) hydrocinnamate,(1,3,5-trimethyl-2,4,6-tris[3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzyl]benzene),4,4"-methylenebis(2,6-di-tert-butylphenol), steraric acid, oleic acid,stearamide, behenamide, oleamide, erucamide, N,N"-ethylenebisstearamide,N,N"-ethylenebisoleamide, sterryl erucamide, erucyl erucamide, oleylpalmitamide, stearyl stearamide, erucyl stearamide, waxes (e.g.polyethylene, polypropylene, microcrystalline, carnauba, paraffin,montan, candelilla, beeswax, ozokerite, ceresine, and the like). Minoramounts of other polymers and copolymers can be melt blended with thestyrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene block copolymers mentioned abovewithout substantially decreasing the desired properties. Such polymersinclude (SBS) styrene-butadiene-styrene block copolymers, (SIS)styrene-isoprene-styrene block copolymers, (low styrene content SEBS)styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene block copolymers, (SEP)styrene-ethylene-propylene block copolymers, (SB)n styrene-butadiene and(SEB)n, (SEBS)n, (SEP)n, (SI)n styrene-isoprene multiarm, branched, andstar shaped copolymers and the like. Still, other homopolymers can beutilized in minor amounts; these include: polystyrene, polybutylene,polyethylene, polypropylene and the like.

The composition can also contain metallic pigments (aluminum and brassflakes), TiO₂, mica, fluorescent dyes and pigments, phosphorescentpigments, aluminatrihydrate, antimony oxide, iron oxides (Fe₃ O₄, --Fe₂O₃, etc.), iron cobalt oxides, chromium dioxide, iron, barium ferrite,strontium ferrite and other magnetic particle materials, molybdenum,silicone fluids, lake pigments, aluminates, ceramic pigments, ironblues,ultramarines, phthalocynines, azo pigments, carbon blacks, silicondioxide, silica, clay, feldspar, glass microspheres, barium ferrite,wollastonite and the like. The report of the committee on MagneticMaterials, Publication NMAB-426, National Academy Press (1985) isincorporated herein by reference.

The gelatinous elastomer compositions of the present invention areprepared by blending together the components including other additativesas desired at about 23° C. to about 100° C. forming a paste like mixtureand further heating said mixture uniformly to about 150° C. to about200° C. until a homogeneous molten blend is obtained. Lower and highertemperatures can also be utilized depending on the viscosity of the oilsand amount of SEBS used. These components blend easily in the melt and aheated vessel equipped with a stirrer is all that is required. Smallbatches can be easily blended in a test tube using a glass stirring rodfor mixing. While conventional large vessels with pressure and/or vacuummeans can be utilized in forming large batches of the instantcompositions in amounts of about 40 lbs or less to 10,000 lbs or more.For example, in a large vessel, inert gases can be employed for removingthe composition from a closed vessel at the end of mixing and a partialvacuum can be applied to remove any entrapped bubbles. Stirring ratesutilized for large batches can range from about less than 10 rpm toabout 40 rpm or higher.

The soft gelatinous composition forming the swabs of the invention canalso contain gases as an additive, i.e. the gelatinous composition canbe foamed. Foam is herein defined as tightly or loosely packingaggregation of gas bubbles, separated from each other by thin or thicklayers of gelatinous composition. Many types of foamed gelatinouscompositions (from ultra high density to ultra low density) can beproduced as desired by (i) adding gas to the molten gelatinouscomposition during processing, and (ii) producing gas in the moltengelatinous composition during processing. Gas can be added by whipping agas into the molten gelatinous composition before it cools or introducea gas into the molten gelatinous composition and then expand or reducethe size of the gas bubbles by reducing the pressure to reduce thebubbles size or applying high pressure to expand the bubbles size. Inthis regard, inert gases such as Carbon dioxide, Nitrogen, Helium, Neon,Argon, Krypton, Xenon and Radon are suitable. Air can also be used. Gascan be produced in the molten gelatinous composition by adding one ormore of a "blowing agent" to the composition. Useful blowing agentsinclude dinitroso compounds, such as dinitroso pentamethylenetetramine,azodicarbonamide, 4,4'oxybis (benzenesulfonyl) hydrazine,5-phenyltetrazole, p-toluenesulfonyl semicarbazide, sulfonyl hydrazide,such as benzene sulfonylhydrazide. Water can be used as a "blowingagent" to produce varying density of foam gelatinous compositions; waterused to advantage can be in the form of mist, droplets, steam, and hotor cold water. The density of the foam gelatinous compositions can varyfrom less than 1.00 kilograms per cubic meter to near the solidgelatinous composition density.

When the gelatinous compositions are foamed, some of their propertiesare improved. Some of the improved properties that can be used toadvantage include: improved heat insulation, decrease the pressuregenerated by an explosion, better shock absportion, better noisereduction, decrease overall gel rigidity of any selected gelatinousformulated composition, and decreasing the weight of the compositionwhich also lowers its cost.

The basis of the gelatinous compositions forming the novel gelatinouselastomer swab heads 2 of this invention resides in the fact that a highviscosity poly(styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene) triblock copolymerhaving styrene end block to ethylene and butylene center block ratiopreferably within the contemplated range of from about 20:80 to about40:60, more preferably from between about 31:69 to about 40:60 whenblended in the melt with an appropriate amount of plasticizing oil makespossible the attainment of gelatinous elastomer compositions having adesirable combination of physical and mechanical properties, notablyhigh elongation at break of at least 1,600%, ultimate tensile strengthof about at least 8×10⁵ dyne/cm², low elongation set at break ofsubstantially not greater than about 2%, tear resistance of at least5×10⁵ dyne/cm², substantially about 100% snap back when extended to1,200% elongation, and a gel rigidity of substantially not greater thanabout 800 gram Bloom. It should be noted that when the ratio falls below31:69, various properties such as elongation, tensile strength, tearresistance and the like can decrease while retaining other desiredproperties, such as gel rigidity, flexibility, elastic memory.

More specifically, the gelatinous elastomer composition forming theswabs of the present invention exhibit one or more of the followingproperties. These are: (1) tensile strength of about 8×10⁵ dyne/cm² toabout 10⁷ dyne/cm² ; (2) elongation of about 1,600% to about 3,000% andhigher; (3) elasticity modulus of about 10⁴ dyne/cm² to about 10⁶dyne/cm² ; (4) shear modulus of about 10⁴ dyne/cm² to about 10⁶ dyne/cm²as measured with a 1, 2, and 3 kilogram load at 23° C.; (5) gel rigidityof about 20 gram Bloom or lower to about 800 gram Bloom as measured bythe gram weight required to depress a gel a distance of 4 mm with apiston having a cross-sectional area of 1 square cm at 23° C.; (6) tearpropagation resistance of at least about 5× 10⁵ dyne/cm² ; (7) andsubstantially 100% snap back recovery when extended at a cross headseparation speed of 25 cm/minute to 1,200% at 23° C. Properties (1),(2), (3), and (6) above are measured at a crosshead separation speed of25 cm/minute at 23° C.

The gelatinous elastomer composition of the invention is excellent forforming the gelatinous elastomer swab heads 2 of the invention. Thegelatinous elastomer swab heads 2 can be formed by blending, melting,dipping, casting, injection molding, extruding and other conventionalmethods. The composition can also be remelted in any suitable hot meltapplicator for hot dipping, extrusion, sputtering, or spraying on to thehandles 6 so as to form the gelatinous elastomer swab heads 2 of theswabs of the invention.

The gelatinous elastomer swab head 2 can be conductive ornon-conductive, containing conductive fillers (carbon, metal flakesetc.) or non-conductive fillers. The gelatinous elastomer swab heads 2can also be foamed The gelatinous elastomer swab heads 2 can be formedin combination with other materials, such as open cell foams, otherpolymeric or elastomeric (Kraton) materials, porous materials,multi-layered coatings, single layered, composite layered materials. Asan example, an opened cell foam when dipped into the instant compositionwill form an interpentrating physical networks (interlocking ofgelatinous composition and foam).

The handle of the swabs of the invention can be divided into two types,a first handle 6 and a second handles 6'. These can be made from variousporous and non-porous materials, such as: open cell or closed cell(skined or unskined) foams, metal, wood, glass, carbon, plastic, rubber,ceramic, paper, cotton, straw, etc. The first and second handles 6 madefrom flexible materials, such as fibers and fabrics of cotton, flax, andsilk. Other flexible first and second handle 6 materials include:elastomers, fiber-reinforced composites, mohair, and wool. Syntheticfibers useful for making first and second handles 6 include: acetate,acrylic, aremid, glass, modacrylic polyethylene, nylon, olefin,polyester, rayon, spandex, carbon, sufar, polybenzimidazole, andcombinations of the above. The ends of the first and second handles 6can be lined with various substrate 4 materials suitable for anchoringthe gelatinous elastomer composition. Such substrate 4 materialsinclude: a cotton bud core, cotton braid, cotton fabric, other naturaland synthetic materials can also be used. The first and second handle 6material can contain pores or channels 10 to interlock with thegelatinous elastomer composition to anchor the gelatinous elastomer swabhead 2 to the first and second handle 6. When first and second handles 6and 6' material are porous and flexible, it will anchor itself to thegel. When foam is used as the first and second handle material, a morefirmer material can be used for support 8. The anchor (lining) material4 can be heat sealed, heat welded, or glued to the ends of the selectedsolid, non-porous first and second handles 6 and 6' material beforedipping the ends of the first and second handles 6 and 6' into themolten gelatinous elastomer composition. In forming the swabs, themolten gelatinous elastomer compositions can be casted, dipped, molded,or otherwise formed unto various first and second handles 6 and 6'materials or substrate materials 4 lining the ends of the first andsecond handles 6 and 6', such substrate materials 4 include: open cellmaterials, metals, ceramics, glasses, plastics, etc. Useful open-cellplastics include: polyamides, polyimides, polyesters, polyisocyanurates,polyisocyanates, polyurethanes, poly(vinyl alcohol), etc. Open-celledPlastic (foams) suitable for use with the compositions of the inventionare described in "Expanded Plastics and Related Products", ChemicalTechnology Review No. 221, Noyes Data Corp., 1983, and "Applied PolymerScience", Organic Coatings and Plastic Chemistry, 1975. Thesepublications are incorporated herein by reference.

Although foam can be utilized as shown in FIG. 1G, FIG. 2G, FIG. 3F, andFIGS. 4E and 4F as an internal support 8, an second handle can also beutilized to additionally support porous and flexible first handle 6 asshown in FIG. 5B, 5C, 5F, 5F, 5G, and 5H and FIGS. 6D and 6E. Wherefirst handles 6 materials utilized are porous and flexible to an extentthat the first handle is unable to support its own weight and the weightof the gelatinous elastomer swab head 2 for its intend use as a swab, asecond handle 6' can be use to advantage. In certain applications, thesecond handle 6' also serves as the major handle (see embodiments c',g', h', k', l', m or n' and o' (with a reduced length first "minor"handle 6). The second handle 6' can be made with one or more cavitiesand may also have a central hollow boring (not shown) along it majoraxis. The second handle 6' supports the first handle 6 much like theouter wood supports the lead in a pencil. The second handle 6' can havemany cavities to hold multiple gelatinous elastomer swab heads 2 asshown in FIG. 6A. In such cases, the second handle 6' serves as the onlyhandle. Instead of having to clean the gelatinous elastomer swab heads 2after each use, the second handle 6' can be re-position or rotated tobring a clean gelatinous elastomer swab heads 2 into position forcontinue cleaning without washing each time. Where a porous materialsuch as cotton braid is utilized for the second handle 6', the firsthandle 6 can be secured to the second handle 6' and the gelatinouscomposition swab heads positioned within the cavities of the secondhandle 6' by a bead of glue 25 or glue lining 27 as shown in FIGS. 5Aand 6A. The glue 25 and 27 can be any type of glue capable of securingthe first handle 6 material to the second handle 6' material. Such gluesinclude water based glues, silicone sealants, rubber based glues,cyanoacryulate ester glues, crosslinked mastics and the like. In thisway, the swab heads 2 are prevented from being pulled out of the cavityand the cavity with its narrow central boring (where the first handle 6is secured) prevents the swab heads 2 from being pushed further into thesecond handle 6' material. It is thereby balanced in slight tensioninside the second handle 6'.

The simplest method of forming the gelatinous elastomer swab heads 2onto a pourous and flexible first handle 6 is by dipping one end of thehandle 6 material into the molten solid gel or molten formed gelatinouscomposition. This can be repeated so as to build up a desired diameterof the gelatinous swab head 2. For the second handle 6' the moltengelatinous elastomer composition can be cast or injected into the cavity26 of the handle so long as the material has a higher deformation ormelting point than the molten gelatinous composition. Material such aspolyethylene foam and other low melting materials, it will deform ormelt (due to excessive heat) when in contact with the molten gelatinouselastomer composition. Such foams can be utilized as a second handle 6'by attaching the first handle 6 through a central boring (not shown) soas to position the gelatinous swab head within the cavity 26 or gluingthe gelatinous swab head within the cavity as shown in 5E, 5F, 6A-6C.Another method is by injection molding. This can be achieved as shown inFIG. 7A. where the first handle 6 material is first inserted into a moldcavity 30 through port 31 followed by injecting the molten gelatinouscomposition into mold cavity port 32 so as to interlock the gelatinouselastomer swab heads 2 with the braided first handle 6 material.

The second handle 6' can be made from various materials as utilized forthe first handle 6 material. Suitable foams for the second handle 6' aswell as for the first handle 6 include: open and non-opened cellsilicone, polyurethane, polyethylene, neoprene, polyvinyl chloride,polyimide, metal, ceramic, polyether, polyester, polystyrene,polypropylene. Example of such foams are: Thanol®, Arcol®, Ugipol®,Arcel®, Arpak®, Arpro®, Arsan®, Dylite®, Dytherm®, Styrofoam®, Trymer®,Dow Ethafoam®, Ensolite®, Scotfoam®, Pyrell®, Volana®, Trocellen®,Minicel®, and the like. When porus materials are use for the substrate 4(FIGS. 1A-1F, 2A-2F, 5F, 6A-6C) support 8 (FIGS. 1G, 2G, 3F, 4E, 4F),second handle 7 (5A-5H, 6A-6E) and handle 6 (1F, 2G-3G, 4A-4G, 5'-5D,5i, 5H, 6D and 6E) material with a solid or foamed gelatinouscomposition, the gelatinous foam or solid gelatinous composition becomesinterlocked with such materials upon contacting with the moltengelatinous composition.

Generally the molten gelatinous elastomer composition will adheresufficiently to certain plastics (e.g. acrylic, ethylene copolymers,nylon, polybutylene, polycarbonate, polystyrene, polyester,polyethylene, polypropylene, styrene copolymers, and the like) providedthe temperature of the molten gelatinous elastomer composition issufficient high to fuse or nearly fuse with the plastic (handles 6 and6' material). In order to obtain sufficient adhesion to glass, ceramics,or certain metals, sufficient temperature is also required (e.g. above250° F.). Commercial resins which can aid in adhesion to handle 6 and 6'materials (plastics, glass, and metals) may be added in minor amounts tothe gelatinous elastomer composition, these resins include: SuperSta-tac, Nevtac, Piccotac, Escorez, Wingtack, Hercotac, Betaprene,Zonarez, Nirez, Piccolyte, Sylvatac, Foral, Pentalyn, Arkon P, Regalrez,Cumar LX, Picco 6000, Nevchem, Piccotex, Kristalex, Piccolastic,LX-1035, and the like.

The invention is further illustrated by means of the followingillustrative embodiments, which are given for purpose of illustrationonly and are not meant to limit the invention to the particularcomponents and amounts disclosed.

EXAMPLE I

A comparison was made between a low viscositypoly(styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene) triblock copolymer havingstyrene end block to ethylene and butylene center block ratio below therange between 31:69 to 40:60 and a high viscositypoly(styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene) triblock copolymer of theinvention. Three different triblock copolymers were melt blendedseparately with a paraffinic white petroleum oil. Table I below showsthe physical properties obtain with respect to each of the differentviscosity and styrene to ethylene and butylene ratio triblock copolymeroil-blends tested.

The properties were measured as follows: Tear Propagation (ASTM D 19938modified), Cracking (ASTM D 518 Method B modified), Tensile Strength(ASTM D 412 modified), Ultimate elongation (ASTM D 412 modified),Tensile Set (ASTM D 412 Modified), Compression Set (ASTM D 395modified), Snap Back, and Hand Kneading (60 seconds).

                  TABLE I                                                         ______________________________________                                                        Weight Parts                                                  Formulation                                                                             S/EB Ratio.sup.1                                                                          A        B      C                                       ______________________________________                                        SEBS.sup.2                                                                              28:72       100                                                     SEBS.sup.3                                                                              29:71                100                                            SEBS.sup.4                                                                              33:67                       100                                     Paraffinic oil.sup.5                                                                            400      400      400                                       Stabilizer.sup.6  2.5      2.5      2.5                                       Breaking strength.sup.7, dyne/cm.sup.2                                                          4 × 10.sup.5                                                                     4 × 10.sup.5                                                                     4 × 10.sup.6                        Tear propagation.sup.8, dyne/cm.sup.2                                                           8 × 10.sup.4                                                                     7 × 10.sup.4                                                                     1 × 10.sup.6                        Compression set.sup.10 at 24 hours                                                              81%(R)   77%(R)   0.0%                                      Rigidity, gram Bloom                                                                            1,536    1,520    360                                       ______________________________________                                         .sup.1 Styrene to ethylene and butylene ratio                                 .sup.2 Shell Kraton G 1650 having a Brookfield viscosity of 1,500 cps as      measured for a 20% weight solids solution in toluene at 25° C.         .sup.3 Shell Kraton G 1652 having a Brookfield viscosity of 550 cps as        measured for a 20% weight solids solution in toluene at 25° C.         .sup.4 Shell Kraton G 1651 having a Brookfield viscosity of 2,000 cps as      measured for a 20% weight solids solution in toluene at 25° C.         .sup.5 ARCO prime 200,                                                        .sup.6 Irganox 1010,                                                          .sup.7 ASTM D 412 modified,                                                   .sup.8 ASTM D 1938 modified,                                                  .sup.9 ASTM D 412 modified,                                                   .sup.10 ASTM D 2395 modified,                                                 .sup.R ruptured completely                                               

The results of Table I show drastically unacceptable poor properties oflow viscosity triblock copolymers having styrene to ethylene andbutylene ratios which are below the contemplated range of the instantinvention.

EXAMPLE II

One hundred parts by weight of a high viscositypoly(styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene) triblock copolymer (Shell KratonG 1651) having a styrene end block to ethylene and butylene center blockratio of about 33:67 with 0.1 parts by weight of a stabilizer (Irrganox1010) was melt blended with various quantities of a naphthenic oil (ARCOTufflo 6024). Samples having the dimensions of 5 cm×5 cm×3 cm were cutand measured for gel rigidity on a modified Bloom gelometer asdetermined by the gram weight required to depress the gel a distance of4 mm with a piston having a cross-sectional area of 1 cm². The averagegel rigidity values with respect to various oil concentrations are setforth in Table II below.

                  TABLE II                                                        ______________________________________                                        Oil per 100 parts of                                                                           Gel Rigidity,                                                Triblock copolymer                                                                             gram Bloom                                                   ______________________________________                                        360              500                                                          463              348                                                          520              280                                                          615              240                                                          635              220                                                          710              172                                                          838              135                                                          1,587             54                                                          ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE III

Example II was repeated except about 980 parts oil was used and the gelrigidity found to about 101 gram Bloom. Other properties measured were:tensile strength at break about 4.4×10⁶ dyne/cm2, elongation at breakabout 2,4470%, elasticity modulus about 3.5×10⁴ dyne/cm2, and shearmodulus about 3.7×10⁴ dyne/cm2. The tensile strength, elongation,elasticity modulus were measured with cross-head separation speed of 25cm/minute at room temperature. The shear modulus was measured with a 1,2, and 3 kilogram load at room temperature.

EXAMPLE IV

Example II was repeated except about 520 parts of a polybutene (AmocoIndopol H-300) was used and the gel rigidity found to be aboutsubstantially unchanged with respect to use of naphthenic oil alone.

EXAMPLE V

Example II was repeated except about 520 parts of a polypropene (AmocoC-60) was used and the gel rigidity found to be about substantiallyunchanged with respect to use of naphthenic oil alone.

EXAMPLE VI

Example II was repeated except about 520 parts of a polyterpene(Hercules Piccolyte S10) was used and the gel rigidity found to be aboutsubstantially unchanged with respect to use of naphthenic oil alone.

EXAMPLE VII

Example II was repeated except about 360 parts of a combined mixture of:72 parts of a paraffinic oil (ARCO prime 200), 72 pars of a naphthenicoil (ARCO Tufflo 6014), 72 parts of a polybutene oligomer (Amoco IndopolH-200), 72 parts of a polypropene oligomer (Amoco Polypropene C-60), and72 parts of a polyterpene oligomer (Hercules Piccolyte S10) was used andthe gel rigidity found to be about substantially unchanged with respectto the use of naphthenic oil alone.

EXAMPLE VIII

Example III was repeated except 933 parts oil with 147 parts by weightof a high viscosity poly(styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene) triblockcopolymer containing 47 parts of a naphthenic process oil (Shell KratonG 4609) having a styrene to ethylene and butylene ratio of about 33:67was used and the physical properties were found to be aboutsubstantially unchanged with respect to the components used in ExampleIII.

EXAMPLE IX

Example III was repeated except 933 parts oil with 147 parts by weightof a high viscosity poly(styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene) triblockcopolymer containing 47 parts of a paraffinic white petroleum oil (ShellKraton G 4609) having a styrene to ethylene and butylene ratio of about33:67 was used and the physical properties were found to be aboutsubstantially unchanged with respect to the components used in ExampleI.

EXAMPLE X

Example II was repeated except about 400 parts of oil was used and theproperties measured were: tear propagation about 1.4×10⁶ dyne/cm², nocrack growth in 180° bend under 50 gram load for 5,000 hours at roomtemperature, tensile strength about 4×10⁶ dyne/cm2, elongation at breakabout 1,700%, tensile set about 0% at 1,200% elongation, compression setabout 0% when tested under 5,000 gram load for 24 hours, and 100% snapback recovery after extension to 1,200%.

Examples XI-XIV-j below illustrate other modes of practice contemplated.

EXAMPLE XI

The procedure of Example II is repeated and apoly(styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene) triblock copolymer(characterized by a Brookfield Viscosity of a 20 weight percent solidssolution in toluene at 25° C. of at least about 1,800 cps.) is usedhaving a styrene end block to ethylene and butylene center block ratioof about 32:68 and the gel rigidity is found to be within the range ofabout 20 to about 800 gram Bloom.

EXAMPLE XII

The procedure of Example II is repeated and apoly(styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene) triblock copolymer(characterized by a Brookfield Viscosity of a 20 weight percent solidssolution in toluene at 25° C. of at least about 1,800 cps.) is usedhaving a styrene end block to ethylene and butylene center block ratioof about 34:66 and the gel rigidity is found to be within the range ofabout 20 to about 800 gram Bloom.

EXAMPLE XIII

The procedure of Example II is repeated and apoly(styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene) triblock copolymer(characterized by a Brookfield Viscosity of a 20 weight percent solidssolution in toluene at 25° C. of at least about 1,800 cps.) is usedhaving a styrene end block to ethylene and butylene center block ratioof about 36:64 and the gel rigidity is found to be within the range ofabout 20 to about 800 gram Bloom.

EXAMPLE XIV

The procedure of Example II is repeated and apoly(styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene) triblock copolymer(characterized by a Brookfield Viscosity of a 20 weight percent solidssolution in toluene at 25° C. of at least about 1,800 cps.) is usedhaving a styrene end block to ethylene and butylene center block ratioof about 38:62 and the gel rigidity is found to be within the range ofabout 20 to about 800 gram Bloom.

EXAMPLE XIV-a

The procedure of Example II is repeated and apoly(styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene) triblock copolymer(characterized by a Brookfield Viscosity of a 20 weight percent solidssolution in toluene at 25° C. of at least about 1,800 cps.) is usedhaving a styrene end block to ethylene and butylene center block ratioof about 31:69 and the gel rigidity is found to be within the range ofabout 10 to about 800 gram Bloom.

EXAMPLE XIV-b

The procedure of Example II is repeated and apoly(styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene) triblock copolymer(characterized by a Brookfield Viscosity of a 20 weight percent solidssolution in toluene at 25° C. of at least about 1,800 cps.) is usedhaving a styrene end block to ethylene and butylene center block ratioof about 37:63 and the gel rigidity is found to be within the range ofabout 10 to about 800 gram Bloom.

EXAMPLE XIV-c

The procedure of Example II is repeated and apoly(styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene) triblock copolymer(characterized by a Brookfield Viscosity of a 20 weight percent solidssolution in toluene at 25° C. of at least about 1,800 cps.) is usedhaving a styrene end block to ethylene and butylene center block ratioof about 19:81 and the gel rigidity is found to be within the range ofabout 10 to about 800 gram Bloom.

EXAMPLE XIV-d

The procedure of Example II is repeated and apoly(styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene) triblock copolymer(characterized by a Brookfield Viscosity of a 20 weight percent solidssolution in toluene at 25° C. of at least about 1,800 cps.) is usedhaving a styrene end block to ethylene and butylene center block ratioof about 20:80 and the gel rigidity is found to be within the range ofabout 10 to about 800 gram Bloom.

EXAMPLE XIV-e

The procedure of Example II is repeated and apoly(styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene) triblock copolymer(characterized by a Brookfield Viscosity of a 20 weight percent solidssolution in toluene at 25° C. of at least about 1,800 cps.) is usedhaving a styrene end block to ethylene and butylene center block ratioof about 38:62 and the gel rigidity is found to be within the range ofabout 10 to about 800 gram Bloom.

EXAMPLE XIV-f

The procedure of Example II is repeated and apoly(styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene) triblock copolymer(characterized by a Brookfield Viscosity of a 20 weight percent solidssolution in toluene at 25° C. of at least about 1,800 cps.) is usedhaving a styrene end block to ethylene and butylene center block ratioof about 29:71 and the gel rigidity is found to be within the range ofabout 10 to about 800 gram Bloom.

EXAMPLE XIV-g

The procedure of Example II is repeated and apoly(styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene) triblock copolymer(characterized by a Brookfield Viscosity of a 20 weight percent solidssolution in toluene at 25° C. of at least about 1,800 cps.) is usedhaving a styrene end block to ethylene and butylene center block ratioof about 26:74 and the gel rigidity is found to be within the range ofabout 10 to about 800 gram Bloom.

EXAMPLE XIV-h

The procedure of Example II is repeated and apoly(styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene) triblock copolymer(characterized by a Brookfield Viscosity of a 20 weight percent solidssolution in toluene at 25° C. of at least about 1,800 cps.) is usedhaving a styrene end block to ethylene and butylene center block ratioof about 22:78 and the gel rigidity is found to be within the range ofabout 10 to about 800 gram Bloom.

EXAMPLE XIV-i

The procedure of Example II is repeated and apoly(styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene) triblock copolymer(characterized by a Brookfield Viscosity of a 20 weight percent solidssolution in toluene at 25° C. of at least about 1,800 cps.) is usedhaving a styrene end block to ethylene and butylene center block ratioof about 25:75 and the gel rigidity is found to be within the range ofabout 10 to about 800 gram Bloom.

EXAMPLE XIV-j

The procedure of Example II is repeated and apoly(styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene) triblock copolymer(characterized by a Brookfield Viscosity of a 20 weight percent solidssolution in toluene at 25° C. of at least about 1,800 cps.) is usedhaving a styrene end block to ethylene and butylene center block ratioof about 26:74 and the gel rigidity is found to be within the range ofabout 10 to about 800 gram Bloom.

EXAMPLE XV

Example II is repeated except the molten composition is casted onto apolyether, a polyester, a surlyn ionomer open cell sponge therebydisplacing the air space within the sponge and the gel rigidity is foundto be greater than about the sum of the combined rigidity of thecomposition and sponge alone.

EXAMPLE XVI

The composition of Example II is casted unto a SCOTFOAM® 1/8" thick: 5,10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, and 200 ppifoam sheet.

EXAMPLE XVII

Example II is repeated. Swabs with representative substrate 4 materialsand first and second handle materials 6 and 6' as shown below are dippedinto the molten compositions to form the gelatinous elastomer swabs ofthe invention.

    ______________________________________                                        Substrate Material  Handle Material                                           ______________________________________                                        1.    polyester         polypropylene                                         2.    closed cell foam  polypropylene                                         3.    100 psi open cell foam                                                                          polypropylene                                         4.     20 ppi open cell foam                                                                          polyamides                                            5.     25 ppi open cell foam                                                                          polyimides                                            6.     30 ppi open cell foam                                                                          polyesters                                            7.     35 ppi open cell foam                                                                          polyisocyanurates                                     8.     40 ppi open cell foam                                                                          polyisocyanates                                       9.     50 ppi open cell foam                                                                          polyurethanes                                         10.    60 ppi open cell foam                                                                          nylon                                                 11.    70 ppi open cell foam                                                                          polubutylene                                          12.    80 ppi open cell foam                                                                          polycarbonate                                         13.    90 ppi open cell foam                                                                          polystyrene                                           14.   100 ppi open cell foam                                                                          polyethylene                                          15.   140 ppi open cell foam                                                                          polystyrene                                           16.   200 ppi open cell foam                                                                          200 ppi open cell foam                                17.   --                cotton braid                                          18.   --                flax braid                                            19.   --                silk braid                                            20.   --                mohair braid                                          21.   --                wool braid                                            22.   --                acetate braid                                         23.   --                acrylic braid                                         24.   --                aremid braid                                          25.   --                glass braid                                           26.   --                modacrylic braid                                      27.   --                polypropylene braid                                   28.   --                polester braid                                        29.   --                spandex braid                                         30.   --                copper braid                                          31.   --                stainless steel braid                                 ______________________________________                                    

The gelatinous elastomer swabs are use to clean a laser printer, acomputer mouse, a computer keyboards, a copiers, a camera lenses, otherhard-to-clean surfaces, and more novel uses include hard-to-reachsurfaces such as a far wall and a tall ceilings by launching the swabsinto the air as projectiles to remove dust and webbs etc. Otherimaginative use for swabs of the inventions include use as stickybullets for toy guns.

While certain features of this invention have been described in detailwith respect to various embodiments thereof, it will, of course, beapparent that other modifications can be made within the spirit andscope of this invention, and it is not intended to limit the inventionto the exact details shown above except insofar as they are defined inthe following claims.

What I claim is:
 1. A reusable swab comprising:(a) a handle, (b) one or more gelatinous elastomer swab heads, and (c) means for attaching said swab heads to said handler said gelatinous elastomer swab heads formed from a composition comprising:(i) 100 parts by weight of a high viscosity triblock copolymer of the general configuration poly(styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene); (ii) from about 300 to about 1,600 parts by weight of a plasticizing oil; and in combination with (iii) a minor amount of at least one or more polymers selected from the group consisting of: poly(styrene-butadiene-styrene), poly(styrene-butadiene), poly(styrene-isoprene-styrene), poly(styrene-isoprene), poly(styrene-ethylene-propylene), poly(styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene), poly(styrene-ethylene-butylene), polystyrene, polybutylene, [poly(ethylene-propylene), poly(ethylene-butylene)]polypropylene or polyethylene, wherein said copolymer is a linear, branched, multiarm, or star shaped copolymer; said composition characterized by a gel rigidity of from about 20 to about 800 gram Bloom.
 2. A reusable swab comprising:(a) a handle, and (b) one or more gelatinous elastomer swab heads; wherein said swab heads are attached to said handle, said gelatinous elastomer swab heads formed from a composition comprising:(i) 100 parts by weight of a high viscosity triblock copolymer of the general configuration poly(styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene); (ii) from about 300 to about 1,600 parts by weight of a plasticizing oil; and optionally in combination with (iii) a minor amount of at least one or more polymers selected from the group consisting of: poly(styrene-butadiene-styrene), poly(styrene-butadiene), poly(styrene-isoprene-styrene), poly(styrene-isoprene), poly(styrene-ethylene-propylene), poly(styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene), poly(styrene-ethylene-butylene), polystyrene, polybutylene, [poly(ethylene-propylene), poly(ethylene-butylene)]polypropylene or polyethylene, wherein said copolymer is a linear, branched, multiarm, or star shaped copolymer; said composition characterized by a gel rigidity of from about 20 to about 800 gram Bloom.
 3. A reusable swab comprising:(a) a first handle, and (b) a second handle enveloping said first handle, said second handle having a cavity and a surface, (c) one or more gelatinous elastomer swab heads; wherein said swab heads are attached to said first handle and positioned substantially within said cavity of said second handle so as to protrude partly from the surface of said second handle enveloping said first handle, said gelatinous elastomer swab heads formed from a composition comprising:(i) 100 parts by weight of a high viscosity triblock copolymer of the general configuration poly(styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene); (ii) from about 300 to about 1,600 parts by weight of a plasticizing oil; and optionally in combination with (iii) a minor amount of at least one or more polymers selected from the group consisting of: poly(styrene-butadiene-styrene), poly(styrene-butadiene), poly(styrene-isoprene-styrene), poly(styrene-isoprene), poly(styrene-ethylene-propylene), poly(styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene), poly(styrene-ethylene-butylene), polystyrene, polybutylene, [poly(ethylene-propylene), poly(ethylene-butylene)]polypropylene or polyethylene, wherein said copolymer is a linear, branched, multiarm, or star shaped copolymer; said composition characterized by a gel rigidity of from about 20 to about 800 gram Bloom.
 4. A reusable swab comprising:(a) a handle having a cavity and a surface, (b) one or more gelatinous elastomer swab heads; wherein said swab heads are attached to said handle and protruding from the surface of said handle, said gelatinous elastomer swab heads formed from a composition comprising:(i) 100 parts by weight of a high viscosity triblock copolymer of the general configuration poly(styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene); (ii) from about 300 to about 1,600 parts by weight of a plasticizing oil; and optionally in combination with (iii) a minor amount of at least one or more polymers selected from the group consisting of: poly(styrene-butadiene-styrene), poly(styrene-butadiene), poly(styrene-isoprene-styrene), poly(styrene-isoprene), poly(styrene-ethylene-propylene), poly(styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene), poly(styrene-ethylene-butylene), polystyrene, polybutylene, [poly(ethylene-propylene), poly(ethylene-butylene)]polypropylene or polyethylene, wherein said copolymer is a linear, branched, multiarm, or star shaped copolymer; said composition characterized by a gel rigidity of from about 20 to about 800 gram Bloom.
 5. A reusable swab according to claims 1, 2, 3, or 4 wherein said styrene to ethylene and butylene is of a ratio of from about 20:80 to about 40:60.
 6. A reusable swab according to claims 1, 2, 3, or 4 wherein said styrene to ethylene and butylene is of a ratio of from about 30:70 to about 40:60.
 7. A reusable swab according to claims 1, 2, 3, or 4 wherein said styrene to ethylene and butylene is of a ratio of from about 31:69 to about 40:60.
 8. A reusable swab according to claims 1, 2, 3, or 4 wherein said triblock copolymer is characterized by a Brookfield Viscosity of a 20 weight percent solids solution in toluene at 25° C. of at least about 1,800 cps.
 9. A reusable swab according to claim 1, wherein said gelatinous elastomer swab head is attached to a foam handle. 